Lea recs 'Bare It All,' 'Getting Rowdy,' 'Targeted,' 'Lady in Red'

If you are like me and occasionally enjoy a break from the psychologically damaged heroes that seem to be a commonality in the romance genre, you are sure to find Detective Reece Bareden a treat. Reece's confidence and strength of character were evident when he was introduced as Logan Riske's close friend and partner in Run the Risk (book one in the Love Undercover series). Reece is formidable but compassionate which shows when he rescues an abused, terrified dog from certain death, takes him into his home and names him Cash. Reece is attracted to Alice Appleton, his willowy, very skittish next-door neighbor, but she resists his attempts to get to know her. Lori Foster always wins my heart when she gives domestic animals a pivotal role in her stories and when Alice offers to help Reece look after Cash it gives him the opportunity to get his foot in her door and her bed.

Alice was a standout secondary character as a young woman kidnapped and terrorized by a ruthless human trafficker in Trace of Fever, the second novel of Foster's previous Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor series. Alice shoulders guilt and remorse due to her time in captivity and feels the path to redemption is through helping other women who are victimized. However, her altruism lands her in more than her fair share of danger, and Reece finds himself facing off against ruthless criminals who are victimizing innocent women and set on hurting and murdering Alice.

Rowdy Yates and Logan Riske are integral to the plot of Bare It All, and the indomitable Trace Rivers makes an appearance. When Trace arrives at Alice's door dressed in full battle gear, his magnetism and sheer force of will literally suck the air from the room. Alice helped Trace once, and he is very protective of her, but Reece can hold his own, is equally protective of Alice and isn't about to be intimidated. It's a great scene, and the testosterone rages. ;)

I loved the contrast of the delicate but very independent and tenacious Alice with Reece, a powerhouse cop who plays by the book. These two have awesome chemistry and while Alice, at times, drives Reece crazy, his understanding and devotion win her heart.

"Getting Rowdy" by Lori Foster.(Photo: Harlequin)

Getting Rowdy by Lori Foster

I always find a Lori Foster romantic suspense engrossing, and I read Bare It All and Getting Rowdy back-to-back. The Love Undercover books flow seamlessly, and the tough, street-smart Rowdy made his presence known over the course of the first two stories.

Rowdy is at the crossroads of his life. His beloved sister Pepper has married Detective Logan Riske, and Rowdy is adjusting to her having another protective man in her life who she deeply loves. Rowdy has some money tucked away and decides to buy a seedy bar, fix it up, and establish a reputable business along with some sense of permanency for the first time in his life. One of the bar's initial attractions is Avery Mullins, a server who catches Rowdy's roving eye. As the new owner, Rowdy offers Avery the bartending position because she is experienced and enthusiastic. She eagerly accepts. He also has intimate pursuits in mind and amps up the charm, but Avery sees him as a womanizer and now that Rowdy is her boss she is determined to resist the irresistible. The sexual tension between these two is off the charts, but an abundance of conflict stands in their way, which makes for a slow burn in the romance department. Once Avery and Rowdy finally do get together, they make up for lost time. ;)

Our hero and heroine come from opposite sides of the tracks and given Rowdy's background of involvement with the less than reputable, you would think trouble would arrive from his side of the fence. However, Foster keeps readers guessing by throwing in more than one unexpected twist, and it is Avery's past that draws danger to their door.

Foster exposes Rowdy's vulnerability, and in an emotional subplot he entrusts Reece and Alice with someone very special and important to him. I've always admired Foster's ability to write standout secondary characters who demand to have their own stories told; this is certainly the case with Logan's brother Dash and newcomer to the series the young, tough-as-nails Cannon. Thankfully Dash's story is next, and Lori Foster will be (or is) writing Cannon's, too.

With Bare It All and Getting Rowdy, you get it all: action, intrigue, danger, hot love scenes, and Foster's heroes define "alpha male." The stories in this series are relationship driven but what I also like is that Lori Foster changes the narrative's premise with each book so you can look forward to a stimulating read. It's best to read the Love Undercover series in order as the characters are developed over the course of the series, and there are story arcs. This is especially the case with Run the Risk and Bare It All as Reece's story begins where Logan's left off.

Targeted is the first in Katie Reus' Deadly Ops series, and we are introduced to Jack Stone, a former Marine sniper who is recruited into an elite, clandestine NSA agency called Black Death 9. Jack spent the first part of his life as Sam Kelly; however, his identity and appearance were completely altered when he signed on to the black ops team, and his former self "died." Reus' specialty is developing enigmatic alpha male heroes and Jack defines these qualities.

Jack has just completed an intense two-year deep undercover assignment that has left him drained and badly in need of time off to decompress. A break isn't to be had, however, as he is immediately assigned to investigate a medical supply company's involvement in a terrorist plot. The kicker is that Sophie Moreno, Jack's first and only love, is the supply company owner's assistant. Sophie and Jack (Sam) came from troubled backgrounds, and when they were young they were placed in the same foster home. Jack protected Sophie, but he was also smitten from the beginning, and she was attracted to him (what's not to like?), and they later became teenage lovers. Sophie believes "her Sam" was killed when serving overseas but has not forgotten the boy she once loved. Jack has carried a torch for Sophie but never expected to see her again. Unfortunately, they are thrown together under the worst of circumstances, and Jack cannot reveal his true identity. Jack's boss doesn't think Sophie is involved with the terrorists, but they can't be sure.

Meantime, Sophie has been doing her own reconnaissance after discovering irregularities in the flight logs of the airline her employer uses for the overseas shipments. Unknown to Sophie the bad guys have discovered her snooping and by the time Jack arrives and begins his covert investigation, she is up to her neck in trouble.

I'm a longtime fan of Katie Reus' romantic suspense novels, and Targeted didn't disappoint. Jack is a stoic, controlled, lethal warrior but passionately in love with Sophie, and therefore struggles to keep focused on the mission. Reus ramps up the danger and intrigue from the get-go and doesn't hold back on the violence and action as Jack steps in to protect Sophie from one attempt on her life after the other while they follow the clues to uncover what the evil antagonists are planning. Targeted is a fast-paced, dark, nail-biting romantic suspense with numerous plot twists making the story unpredictable and enthralling. Danger and monumental conflict ramp up the sensuality, and readers can look forward to Jack and Sophie's well-deserved HEA. If you enjoy a well-written, sexy romantic suspense, you may like to try Targeted. I'm looking forward to seeing where Katie Reus takes her Deadly Ops series next.

A number of years ago I binge-read historical romances to the point of burnout and, with a couple of exceptions, I've not picked up one since. The beautiful cover art of Lady in Red attracted me, and I'm happy to say I thoroughly enjoyed the story that inspired said cover and the series tagline is fitting:

The Victorian era was full of majestic beauty and scandalous secrets—a time when corsets were the least of a woman's restrictions and men could kill or be killed in the name of honor…

After three years of imprisonment in a tiny, cold cell of an asylum, Lady Mary Darrel escapes brutality and starvation and flees to the only person in the world she feels she can trust: Yvonne, the notorious Madame of one of London's many whorehouses. Yvonne provides Mary shelter but knows she cannot keep her safe for long, as it was Mary's father who saw to it she was imprisoned and abandoned to daily torture and despair. Yvonne therefore turns to Edward Barrons, the Duke of Farleigh, the one man who she can trust to help Mary heal and keep her safe.

Madame Yvonne's private chamber is the last place Edward expects to find an emaciated and frightened young woman, but despite her weakness and exhaustion, Edward finds her spirit and will to survive captivating. When Edward learns from Yvonne that Mary is in grave danger and in need of his protection, he doesn't hesitate in agreeing to help, and he takes her as his mistress. Mary is deeply traumatized and dealing with a litany of emotional and physical problems as a result of her years in captivity, but Edward's devotion is instrumental in helping her heal. Edward deals with his own crippling guilt related to a brutal legacy left by his father, but the cracks in his soul gradually begin to mend as Mary responds to his attentions. Edward recruits his powerful friend Viscount Powers to assist in keeping Mary, which results in a fascinating interpersonal triangle. The name Powers suits his commanding, dangerous aura, and his wicked sarcasm challenges Mary. She gives as good as gets. Add Edward to the mix and it's great sport!

When I finished reading Lady in Red, I couldn't help but think of Joss Whedon's famous quote:

"Make it dark, make it grim, make it tough, but then, for the love of God, tell a joke."

The plot and characters of this novel are best described as dark, grim and tough, but Claremont follows Whedon's sage advice by providing quick sarcastic, witty dialogue that caused me to snort with laughter more than once. Well-written prose and vivid descriptions enhance an emotional story of how friendship and love help to heal two damaged souls. The chemistry between Mary, Edward and Powers is electric, and we are also treated to a thrilling rescue scene during the dénouement of this story that isn't to be missed. Mary and Edward's journey to love is heartrending, intense and sensual and by giving them such difficult lives Máire Claremont provoked my sympathy and made their HEA all the more satisfying. If you enjoy a Victorian era historical romance that is layered with suspense, action, and intrigue, you may well like to give Lady in Red a try. I'm looking forward to the March 2014 release of Powers' story, The Dark Affair. : )

Lea Franczak cannot remember a time when she didn't have a book in her hand. She's read and enjoyed multiple genres but is especially partial to contemporary and erotic romance, dark gritty romantic suspense, paranormal romance and has recently become a New Adult junkie. Lea has been blogging and reviewing since 2008 and is active on Goodreads. Lea is also HEA's Tweeter Extraordinaire. Follow HEA on Twitter (@HEAusatoday).